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Soaking wet in Toyotas Tough Tundra

Memorial Day weekend is supposed to be the kickoff to warm summer weather, but in the eastern Sierra side of California last weekend, winter was still flexing its muscle. The plan was to rendezvous with some Reno friends at a remote campsite on the shores of the Walker River in western Nevada and spend the weekend fishing and soaking in the natural hot springs that are prevalent in the canyons and valleys of that region of the Nevada.Knowing that the camp spot was about 40 miles off-pavement, and having made a failed attempt to reach this location last fall with an Acura RDX (plenty of grip, but not enough clearance), I decided not to mess around this time and grabbed the keys to most serious off-roader in our long-term test fleet, our Truck of the Year 4x4 2008 Toyota Tundra. I had three passengers, plus lots of camp gear, and the big double-cab Tundra swallowed it all, providing the four of us plenty of space and comfort.This truck continues to impress. I plowed through a two-foot snowstorm with it earlier this year and it never once got nervous. On this trip, I drove through a late-spring rainstorm on several backcountry muddy dirt roads, and again it prevailed. The last five miles of these roads were no more than rocky, worn-out jeep trails that led to the bottom of the Walker River Canyon.The Tundra handled the trails with ease, and despite the rough terrain and slippery, narrow surface, it consistently held the upperhand on forward momentum. All the while, we passengers kept dry inside the leather-lined cab, listening to playlists on the iPod and watching our progress on the NAV screen.

I was most impressed with the Tundra's steering. It's light without being too overboosted and is perfectly weighted for low-speed, tight-radius maneuvers of the kind required descending into a riverbed canyon. It allows this tall, wide vehicle to be driven as if it were something much smaller. Someone accustomed to driving only cars would feel comfortable piloting Tundra after only a few miles in it.I also really appreciate the abundance of storage bins in the cabin. I counted upward of nine closeable cubbies (including the dual glovebox), plus another five or six open-top bins.These types of storage compartments are invaluable for road tripping with lots of phones, walkie-talkies, iPods, headlamps, maps, water bottles, and loose change. This storage capacity is unique to the Tundra and is something the domestic full-sizers lack.After spending an entire night huddled under two rainsoaked canopies, we pulled the plug on the camping trip and headed 60 miles southwest to Bridgeport, California, and checked into the Walker River Lodge. Not exactly what we had in mind for Memorial Day weekend, but the somewhat rustic motel abuts the same river we camped on the night before, so we set up the BBQ on the back porch and continued our weekend in the outdoors.Total trip mileage was 870, and the Tundra returned 16.1 mpg with four passengers and a bed full of gear.

My 08 dblcb tundra is the best vehicle I've ever owned. Silky smooth transmission & engine, it's huge but suprisionaly nimble. Have owned it for over a year, but am alway's amazed by it when I drive it. No doubt it will give many miles of reliable service. 80% made in USA(not mexico or canada), with some electronic parts made in japan, go figure. It's a real keeper, for the next 10 or 15 years anyway.

Ford and GM are such good trucks that's why their broke right.You patriotic idiots should give your heads a shake.The Tundra is by far the best truck I have owned.I had GM and Fords.And guess what never again.Line up any half ton next to my tundra and I will blow your doors off even wile I have my boat hooked up,like I did with an F350 diesel.It was awwwsome.

Hatred should be against the law. Just accept the Tundra for what it is. Why do the Big 3 fans have to get their panties in a bunch everytime someone outdies them? Particularly in their own backyard (pickup trucks). If you're so upset, tell the big 3 to get cracking on the next gen of their trucks.

I just bought an '08 Tundra, double cab, regular bed. I have owned Chevy, Ford, and Toyota trucks, and loved them all, and everyone was good for over 200,000 miles. I test drove Chevy, Dodge, GMC, Ford, and I just couldn't find enough in any of them to out perform, out drive, out tow, or have more comfort for the dollar. The only way I could get more hauling or towing power was to step up to the 3/4 tons, and with that came around 3000.00 dollars and more. I couldn't even get an '08 in any of the top three for the price I got my Tundra for, oh yeah! My mom bought one too on the same day. The big three really need to step up and quit living in the past if they are going to keep competing with Toyota...

Oh, by buying American you mean the Chevy truck that is built in Mexico and Not the Tundra that is built in Texas. I bought a new Silverado back in 99 and it was a total peice of *** My new Tundra is the best truck that I have ever owned by far.

Well, well, well. Big 3 fans do not be mad that MT choses to take the Big Tundra. MT probably just want something new to try, and end up loving it. One thing I can't understand is why do we hang onto hatred? It is only a truck, get a life. It's so funny how Chevman4life acts like a child. Do me a favor and grow up. If it isn't for the imports, you wouldn't be getting cars like the new Malibu...hmmm...that kind of sums it up. Enjoy life, and be greatful for all the possiblity and options that you can choose from. Oh one more thing, put your hatred, and bias aside to truely see what is around you.

Tundra Crew Max owner here with the TRD SC just installed. It was fun smoking Cleatus in his Dodge and Ford's before, now with the SC it's just sad. Lower the power rear window to laugh at Cleatus or flipping him off just adds salt to the wound . But with gas in So Cal at $4.30 a gallon most rednecks can't afford to fill their tanks so no more races for me. Enjoy your Geo Metro's Toyota power FTMFW !

Toyota may have built a better truck but lets think about where all that knowledge came from about trucks.. .Didn't come from Japan..... All they did was take a little from every truck and make it bigger or somewhat better, which sometimes results in a vehicle that well just "bigger." The true test will come years from now to see how well they hold up, and just because its a Toyota doesn't mean its good, and that goes for all. Just because GM built some mess years ago doesn't mean they still are. People need to remember that and stop being so ready to bash the Big Three. The street goes both ways. GM has made a good Silverado but needs the Hydramatic Six Speed and a few other things. It didn't win truck of the year for nothing in 2007. I think its funny that the Toyota still doesn't get that much better gas mileage with all that added technology compared to GM's old school pushrod motor. Only time will tell but I doubt die hard Toyota fans will really tell you the truth. Just like GM and Ford rivals never really tell you the truth. Good thing is GM sees that it needs to change and they are doing it but it takes time to get a car out to production, just hope they don't take too long.

The new Silverado and Sierra are pay up. I guess this thread is a little off course though, from the original intent.and yeah, english dude! Try the Motortrend SP site (if one exists), I'm not fluent in spanish, and I hate that I have to select a language at the ATM. English should be default, this is the USA. Okay, now we're going off on another tangent...

im tired of all the whinning from the big three, do something about it, stop whinning, im tired of hearing all this gripping. The writting is on the wall, people are tired of getting raked over the coals, they want substance, and to prove it, the chevy malibu is what effort and hard work will deliver, such a fine beautiful specimen of what american engineering will deliver when you put your mind to it. Pay up or shut up i say! And Kudos to Toyota for for making good better, and making something better, great!

I don't understand some people they have a one track mind on issues that they don't accept change and perfect example the Tundra after a few production problems which have been solved is the best truck package on the market and nobody complained all the years that Ford and GM put out all of the bad products Cars,Trucks,Mini vans and SUV's,where was your complains then don't blame Toyota put the blame where it belong on your American money hungry Companies

Apex brings up another question, where the heck is the big three's answer to the Tacoma? With gas prices these days, this is going to be an important segment. The Colorado is a piece of tin, the Ranger is extremely outdated, and the Dakota is just butt-a$$ ugly. I think the Colorado has the styling, but it's too cheaply made. And why is it that you can get the I-6 in the Trailblazer, but not in the Colorado? That's just stupid. I know they're adding the 5.3, but the I-6 is a good motor, and should return a little better mileage with displacement on demand.

Japanese no where near being as successful as Ford and GM in terms of truck building. Tundra not bad though. You can't compare F350's to a Tundra, F350 isn't half ton truck lite_reading. F350 looks too sweet to drop down to a half ton truck anyways, any half ton truck.And I would take Ford trucks over GM trucks. It would be nice if TM didn't have so many recalls, but i'm not too concerned. Honda had a few recalls on their civic. My experience with Honda isn't that pleasant. I'm sure GM and Ford has recall, maybe not as widely noticed because it's not under the radar as much. And I agree that TM needs to mitigate recalls, but not neglect them at the same time. I think TM has a good path ahead of itself, lots of potential. Whereas GM and Ford, that's debatable. TM needs to learn how to make diesel engines, and stronger frames.

People can say what they want about GM/Ford/and Dodge but come on they are the ones that gave the Tundra any ground to stand on when building a truck. The Americans are the ones that have come up with all the truck innovations, and Toyota, bigger isn't always better. Really all the thing is is a big truck. If it were so great it would have beat the Silverado in every comparison but last time I checked it only took one out of three. I support Americans and the big three are building better trucks than they ever have. You don't go off comparing your new Tundra to an old GM or Ford like so many people do. If Toyota's are so great then why don't you see a bunch of old ones on the road like you do American vehicles. I work with and most vehicles with over 200,000 miles are not Japanese due to high cost to operate with high miles. Will be interesting to see long term results since we have seen that just because its a Toyota doesn't means its good. Rest assure the Tundra owners wont tell you the truth and will just trade off every three or four years like they have been doing for years. So Long live the BIG THREE!!!!!!!!!!! Your still king as far as innovation and knew technologies even though we are supposed to think that the Japanese are taking over and all that money they make goes back to Japan whether or not the vehicles are made over here. Some people still support the U.S.A. fully and know a good truck when they see one which is not a Toyota. Yeah there are some people here that can rant and rave with proper English. Thank you very much.A proud owner of three GM vehicles with over 200,000 miles!!!!

To everyone criticizing the Tundra because of the recalls, ask yourselves this: how many times has Ford had to recall the F-150? The answer is "a lot." For example, earlier this month, they recalled 600,000 F-150s for a brake hose issue, not to mention the 3.8 million strong recall they issued a few years back.There's plenty of reasons to not like/criticize the Tundra, but the recall issue is a strawman, one that's been irrelevant since no new issues have cropped up in recent months.

Cactus man, I agree that the Tundra is terribly ugly in comparison to the GMT900's, but 16.1 mpg is pretty good for a truck of that size with a lead footed MT staffer at the wheel. My Dad has an '02 Tundra SR5 with a V6 and 5 speed manual and he averages 21 mpg-22 mpg in the summer and 17 mpg-18 mpg up here in the winter. lite_reading-the Tundra is a 1/2 ton pickup. It can't yet be compared to the GM and Ford heavy duty trucks until it comes out with a heavy duty version.

I sell chevy's and we get people coming in all the time that have already been and looked at the tundra and they opt for the chevy. Mainly because you get more bang for the buck and fuel economy. We sell to many farmers and you would not catch them in the tundra. Just a fact. And we all know if someone is going to use a truck as truck it is the farmers. Hope that helps all you all undecided folks.

scarygary... consumers report does not recommend toyota, jd power quality is going down for toyota, but this is america and everything is up for sale if the price is right, including "motortrend truck of the year award". LOVES IT!!!!!!

Shills of the world, unite!The Tundra is really not that bad; people that just want a truck that looks tough when you're standing next to it will really like it. Those who really need a truck for truck stuff will look at the Ford and the GMT900s. The only truck that the Tundra clearly trumps is the Ram, and that will be up for debate come 2009.

cactus_man right on the spot manand technically speaking zr2s10 makes a lot of sense why an inferior truck made it this year.that like saying that its the best truck in the sample size of "1" truck. or 3 different trucks if you consider regular cab, crew cab , and extended cab , few more with different engine type. lets see there is a base engine or the highly recalled 5.7 liter. .............complete BS!consumers report does not recommend toyota, jd power quality is going down for toyota, but this is america and everything is up for sale if the price is right, including "motortrend truck of the year award".

How is Toyota making any money? They have so many recalls, both new and old Tundras. And Chevy has the best truck for the money. The Tundra is overpriced and not worth the extra cash. Toyota dealers think they're king-sh!t and don't offer much incentives if any. You can get a Chevy for way less. Didn't Chevy win truck of the year last year? That would be why Toyota won this year, the Chevy wasn't new enough to qualify to compete.

Ok, the Tundra did a lot right. But it forgot one importiant long standing Toyota trait...quality...whats with all of those recalls? Replacing an entire engine? Some people I have heard said it is a good thing that they have done all the recalls, it shows they care. Come-on, if the Silverado had as many problems as the Tundra has, people would be predicting the end of America as we know it. Plus...the Tundra is ugly...and gets horrible gas milage...

txtundra please get your facts straight before you claim Toyota makes the best truck. The only reason it won MT truck of the year is because it had no competition. Toyota makes a powerful engine but that’s where the fun stops. The frame is an open C- Channel which twists and bends under load and rusts quickly. *** make great cars, but they have a lot to learn about trucks. I would take a Dodge, GM, or Ford over a TOYota any day. I actually had the chance to drive the 09 F150, the 09 Tundra, and 09 Silverado at a testing ground in Toronto, Canada. All the trucks were loaded with 4500lb trailers and we did back to back testing all day around the course with turns, twists, and bump sticks. The Toyota can pull in a straight line; it has power, but in the corners it BLOWS! The body twists and the trailer pushes. Keeping it under control becomes your main concern. Ford and GM make a fully boxed frame and both of these trucks you could drive the course without even noticing the trailer. Toyota makes a nice toy, but has lots to learn about trucks!! American trucks are the best, and American truck buyers are the most loyal buyers. If your daddy drove a Ford you drive a Ford and so on.

Props to Toyota for understanding what a real working pickup needs to be. Don't count the Big 3 out of the game yet though. They don't generate their truck sales numbers by sitting and watching while somebody else develops a pickup. We'll see the best of the Tundra's features in their new generations, and they'll go it one better.LOL at the author for trying that run in an Acura RDX last year. Proof that soft-roaders can't do what real off-roaders can.

16.1 MPG? wow! That's great. I love the new Tundra. The one pictured here is my favorite configuration, double-cab with 4 doors and still a reasonable size bed. I see more and more people trading in their old trucks to get a new Tundra. I can't blame them. It is an awesome truck.

I noticed something funny here reading the additions from other readers, after hearing the real stories from someone who actually spends time in the truck, instead of reading comments like "hmm, I guess I'll have to check that out for myself." You get a bunch of rants, and what's more, they don't even spell right in their rants, or have decent grammar. I love America and her steel as much as the next guy, but stupid is as stupid does.

I had much rather take that Wagoneer any day over the Tundra!Heck, I still would rather get a Dodge Ram over any truck.I don't know what it is, but I wouldn't want a Tundra. Maybe because it is over priced, the engine already has a recall which is the BIGGEST no no, plus the kind of differential that it uses, I don't want in a truck, only in a car. I want a locking diff!!!I also would get a Ford. I love the looks of them, but they need more POWER! Maybe they should just take their 2-Valve 4.6L and put on a s/c to have numbers like the 5.7L engines from both Toyota and Dodge.Oh, I also LOVE my pushrod engines only which Americans do.

I dont think that the Ram will nock the Tundra out of it, it really isn't that much different. The new Ford will out sell both of them combined. As for Chevy/GMC, I dont know if I'd buy a Chevy over a Toyota, not a GM fan.

Ok the Tundra does what a druck is supposed to do and it does it well. There is competition from Chevy. Dodge has th 09 Ram which looks like could knock Toyota out of it. Nissan makes an awesome truck. Ford I hope will get its act together. Im not gonna bash it Tundra its a great truck but I will say I hate it.

Nice! Amazing what TOYOTA can achieve. Seems as if Tundra is the toughest of tough. Seems as if Toyota doesn't have much competition left. I agree, it IS the truck of the year--a new benchmark for all.

Reading this just made me sick, are u kidding me what happend to the awsome chevy silverado. at least that thing hasnt had any massive recalls. the tundras been recalled for just about everything major. Pro american all the way. if u wana a real truck by a chevy not a toyota